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GIANNI VERSACE 1946-1997

Versace became known for his glamorous styles, producing a range of siren dresses that became his trademark. He often using innovative materials such as aluminum mesh or cutting-edge techniques like "neo-couture" laser technology to fuse leather and rubber. The head of Medusa was also a recurring image on many of his clothing items and accessories. He launched his first couture collection in 1989 and added two clothing lines, Versus and Instante, to his business in the '90s.
One of his most famous creations for the black dress held together at the sides by gold safety pins worn by Elizabeth Hurley in 1994. The dress helped make Hurley a star. Versace developed strong relationships with a number of stars and supermodels, including Elton John, Madonna and Naomi Campbell. As Anna Wintour told The New York Times, Versace "was the first to realize the value of celebrity in the front row, and the value of the supermodel, and put fashion on an international media platform."
Versace's illustrious career was decorated with numerous awards, including four L'Occhio d'Oros and an American Fashion Oscar in 1993. Some of his most imaginative creations could be found in theaters; the designer was often applauded for his costume designs for such ballets as Richard Strauss's Josephlegende in 1982, Gustav Mahler's Lieb und Leid in 1983 and Bejart's Chaka Zulu in 1989. In 1987, Versace was awarded with theater's Maschera D'Argento prize. He has also created stage costumes for such pop performers as Elton John, Madonna and Tina Turner.
Versace's designs have been showcased in several museums, including Chicago's National Field Museum, London's Royal College of Art, Japan's Kobe City Museum and Germany's Kunstgewerbemuseum. In addition to clothing, the designer expanded his brand into other directions. He launched his classic Signature fragrance line in 1991 and his line of furniture and home goods in 1993. Versace has also published numerous books, including
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